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How capacitors improve the power factor and how to calculate them? (photo credit:
johnsonphillips.co.uk )
There are various different systems for producing reactive energy, including in
particular asynchronous compensators and shunt capacitors (or serial capacitors for
large transmission systems).
The capacitor is most frequently used, given:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Power diagram
Power factor is the ratio of working power to apparent power. It measures how
effectively electrical power is being used .
Low power factor means youre not fully utilizing the electrical power youre paying for.
A high power factor signals efficient utilization of electrical power, while a low power
factor indicates poor utilization of electrical power.
To determine power factor (PF), divide working power (kW) by apparent power (kVA).
In a linear or sinusoidal system, the result is also referred to as the cosine .
Power diagram
Where:
P Active power
S1 and S2 apparent powers
(before and after compensation)
Q2 = Q1 Qc
Qc = Q1 Q2
Qc = Ptg 1 Ptg2
Qc = P(tg 1 tg 2)
Where 1 is phase shift without capacitor and 2 is phase shift with capacitor
The capacitor is a receiver composed of two conductive parts (electrodes) separated
by an insulator. When this receiver is subjected to a sinusoidal voltage, the current
and therefore its power (capacitive reactive) is leading the voltage by 90.
Conversely, for all other receivers (motors, transformers, etc.) the current and
therefore its power (reactive inductive) is lagging the voltage by 90 .
The vectorial composition of these currents or reactive powers (inductive and
capacitive) gives a resulting current or power below the value which existed
before the capacitors were installed .
In simple terms, it is said that inductive receivers (motors, transformers, etc.) consume
reactive energy whereas capacitors (capacitive receivers) produce reactive energy.
PkW = 475